Well we officially had our hospital tour of the maternity ward at the hospital where we will be having our baby. I have to say that both the L&D rooms and the post partum rooms were very nice, niceer than we expected to see. Hubby and I were both impressed. The tour guide was also a lactation consultant and so was big on pushing breastfeeding and spending time learning the ropes before you were discharged. That calmed me because I want to breastfeed and it seems everything I read is enough to scare you to NOT breastfeed...or maybe that's just me
After leaving the hospital...I began to get scared...I'm actually going to give birth to a baby. And that terror is probably the one thing that can keep me up at night...labor on TV makes me cringe, even when it's fake. Seeing the L&D room in person and all the equipment in person should be a good thing, right? So I know what to expect? Instead is has me scared and I think about all the things that will be happening and wonder how the heck will I get through it all? Sure, sure women have been giving birth since the beginning of time..but this is ME, I'm talking about! While I have a high tolerance for pain, do I have a high enough tolerance to get through labor and delivery? What the heck have I got myself into?!!??
But at least the tour put Hubby at ease and when the time come one of us will need to be at ease and I don't think it will be me!
That fear of the unknown is something every woman goes through, even with subsequent births because no two are ever the same. And even when women tell you their stories...it won't be like yours.
ReplyDeleteWhen it all starts happening though you are living in the moment and aren't really worried about what's coming next. At least that's how I found it to be. When you're laboring, you're laboring. When you're transitioning you're thinking about pushing... Fortunately the doctors and nurses have done this thousands of times so they've got the medical side taken care of :)
Have you done any prenatal yoga? The breathing aspect of it helped me immensely with my second birth (didn't do it with my first). That and the fact that I was convinced I wasn't progressing.
Anyway, that unknown feeling will persist, but as soon as things start "happening" you're not really worried about what's going to happen. You're just focused on getting it done!
Things are really falling into place, aren't they? BTW, Aunt Julie's hosting another *Recipe Week* over at my place, starting today. Remember how yummy the last one was?
ReplyDeleteInhale.
ReplyDeleteExhale.
Vicki is right. As soon as things get going, all your worries will disappear! You will be in the moment. And in the end, it's all worth it!
Man, you're light years ahead of where I was at that point! I didn't check out the hospital until a week and a half before the baby was born.
ReplyDeleteI know this sounds silly, but try not to worry about it. Just take every moment as it comes and enjoy the last few weeks of your pregnancy. Worrying will only psyche you out. Besides, how you envision it will be in your mind (or when compared to others) isn't necessarily how it will be in real life, so what's the point of the stress? Realistic, I know...
wow, it's getting close!!
ReplyDeleteLemme tell ya, it's all about the nurses! I could have been in a cardboard box for all I cared, but I had this wonderful nurse postpartum...I loved her! She was so gentle and kind and patient. I'd adopt her if I could!
One thing that I learned was that no matter how much planning or preparation or envisioning how it might go (all 12,359 scenarios), it's not like you imagine and it will be your own unique story...and you will have a wonderful beautiful baby at the end of the story. What a great ending!! :)
I agree with all the comments. No two births are alike. The nurses are used to it and have done it a million times so they will walk you through each step. The nurses also know you might be scared and will be reassuring to you every step!
ReplyDeleteAll comments are right on que! It will all be ok and yes NURSES! They Rock!
ReplyDelete